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Help me plan my next bike tour!

Apr 27, 2016

Now that spring has finally arrived, warmer weather, rain and all, I have found myself dreaming of a vacation. Beautiful coastline, warm breeze, and no more rain! I have even Googled several guided bike tours around the world. Below, I have listed my top destinations. Tell me what you think and help me decide where to go this summer (after I have saved up a little more spending money!).

Possible Destinations:

1. Galway, Ireland - Who doesn't love Ireland? Here's a seven day trip along the Galway coastline, complete with accommodation and bike rental. It stops along Westport, Croagh Patrick, Delphi Valley, Killary Harbour, Kylemore Abbey, Clifden and the famous Sky Road. Most of the ride is along the coast and open bogland. On the last day you take a ferry to Aran Island to see the dramatic hill fort of Dun Aengus.

2. California, USA - There are two options here. One is the California coastline (£2060). It starts in Santa Cruz and makes its way along the coast down to Santa Barbara, stopping in along Monterey Bay and Pebble Beach. The California coastline is something I've been dying to see, but the price tag is a bit much and not including airfare. The other option is California Wine Country (£1600). A bit cheaper, this option also includes one of my true loves in life, wine. It starts in Calistoga and heads from vineyard to vineyard finishing in Healdsburg (I've never heard of them either). Both are 6 days, 5 nights including hotel, 3 meals a day with snacks in between and bike rental.

3. Sacred Sites, Greece - I am a sucker for history. This 8 day tour winds through the ancient sites of Greece, including Ancient Olympia, Mycenae, Epidavros, Arkadia villages and the Cave of Lakes. It comes in two options, long and short, with the short covering about half the distance every day. The tour was listed as one of the best tours by Bicycling magazine in 2009. It includes entrance fees, accommodation, dinner and bike rental.

4. Japan Highlights - Could be a bit of a culture shock. Another 8 day tour, this time travelling across Japan. The price includes 3 meals a day and snacks as well as accommodation. They have bikes to rent, but it is not included in the price. The tour starts in Tokyo and ends in Kagoshima. Along the way you get to soak in outdoor hot springs, feed deer in Nara Park, ride the Shimanami Kaido Road, visit Hiroshima and hike Mount Aso's volcanic crater. Tours are conducted in English.